Google
just released another
Google Maps
Mobile update for its Android operating system. With Google Maps 3.3 for
Android, users can now easily find out what businesses are nearby, try several
experimental Labs features and report problems with map data right from the
mobile phone. What's nearby is a handy feature which shows you what businesses
are nearby, for instance if you're visiting an unfamiliar place. Just long-press
on the map, tap on the bubble and look for "What's nearby?" in the menu. The
menu item shows a nearby business and you can click on it to see more nearby
places. You can also access this feature from the My Location menu or from
address search results.

Furthermore, the latest Google Maps Mobile version for Android features
support for Google Labs services which are experimental new features. Current
Google Labs functions includes displaying a scale bar on the map, show a terrain
layer (similar to Google Maps on the PC), search for popular categories (so you
never have to type in "Vietnamese restaurant" or "bowling alleys" again), turn
the blue My Location dot into a compass arrow that shows the direction you're
facing when stationary as well as allowing to add a Layers button to the screen
so you can now quickly and easily toggle layers like Traffic, Satellite,
Latitude, and Transit Lines.

Another advantage of using Google Maps on your phone is that you
automatically use Google's latest map and business data - downloaded over your
phone's Internet connection. But keeping up with real world changes is a
challenge and sometimes Google's data isn't up-to-date anymore.
If you find that what's shown on your phone doesn't match what's on the ground,
you can now report a problem back to Google. For problems like getting the wrong
number when you call to order a pizza or finding that the store you were going
to is now out of business, just click on "Report a problem" in the listing menu.

For problems you can see on the map, like a newly built street that's missing
or a road with the wrong name, first long-press near the spot on the map. Then
just tap on the bubble, click on "Report a problem", and type in a description
of the problem. If you want, Google will even E-Mail you to let you know when
it's resolved.
However, reporting map problems is available in the United States only!